Police Release Osun SSG Arrested Over Alleged Vote Buying

The Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Igbalaye Teslim, following his arrest alongside five others over alleged vote buying ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.

The development was confirmed on Thursday by the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who welcomed the SSG’s release and called for the immediate and unconditional release of other political detainees still in police custody.

Olajengbesi commended the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, for what he described as listening to the voice of reason and responding to public concerns over Teslim’s arrest.

“We are pleased that the SSG has now been released by the police. We, however, demand the immediate and unconditional release of all other political detainees still being held,” he said.

He added that the Nigeria Police Force best serves the nation by upholding justice, the rule of law and protecting citizens from oppression.

Teslim was arrested alongside five others following allegations of vote buying in the lead up to the governorship election.

The Osun State Police Command had disclosed on Wednesday that operatives recovered ₦4.8 million and other electoral materials from a residence in Osogbo allegedly linked to the SSG.

The incident comes amid heightened political tension in Osun State, with supporters of Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking a second term on the platform of the Accord Party, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) engaging in exchanges of accusations ahead of the election.